Thursday, July 31, 2014

This is an interesting development in Mockingjay news that Lionsgate released today -- Lorde not only will be writing and releasing the first single of the Mockingjay soundtrack, but she will also be choosing who will appear on the album. I have to admit I am not the biggest fan of Lorde, and even more wary of having her choose the direction in which the album goes, however Francis Lawrence became quite taken with her and her understanding of the Mockingjay story.

Check out the press release:

SANTA MONICA, CA, July 31, 2014 – Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF), a premier next generation global content leader, announced today that multiplatinum GRAMMY® Award-winning recording star Lorde will curate the soundtrack album for the upcoming third installment of the global blockbuster The Hunger Games franchise, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1. In addition to hand-picking the artists for The Mockingjay – Part 1 soundtrack, Lorde will provide the first single for the highly anticipated film and album. The soundtrack will be available via Republic Records this fall.

“I sat down with Lorde on the set of ‘Mockingjay’ this spring and I was immediately struck by how she so innately understood what we, as both fans and filmmakers, were trying to accomplish with the film. Her immense talent and keen understanding of Mockingjay’s characters and themes not only have enabled her to create a song of her own that completely captures the film’s essence, but her insight and passion for our project make her the perfect creative force to assemble the other songs on our soundtrack. I can't wait to share what she's done with the fans -- it is truly remarkable,” said Francis Lawrence.

Lorde’s unique position as both a songwriter/performer and the curator of the Mockingjay – Part 1soundtrack album came about via her unique relationship with her music publisher, SONGS Music Publishing who was a key architect of the deal.

"Curating the soundtrack for such a hotly-anticipated film was a challenge, but I jumped at the chance,” said Lorde. “The cast and story are an inspiration for all musicians participating and, as someone with cinematic leanings, being privy to a different creative process has been a unique experience. I think the soundtrack is definitely going to surprise people.”

The line for the experience has been going around the corner every day so far, so get there EARLY!

*UPDATE: Unfortunately, we are sad to report that the Samsung Experience has already been taken down. :(Comic-Con is almost over, BUT THERE IS STILL TIME to enjoy all the bells and whistles of Lionsgate's presentation of Mockingjay Part 1 at Comic-Con.

The Sneak Peek

Before the big event on Friday, we got a special opportunity to have a meet and greet with some of the cast members from Mockingjay Part 1! This included: Mahershala Ali (Boggs), Elden Henson (Pollux), Wes Chatham (Castor), and Evan Ross (Messalla). All four were quite easy to talk to, but I have to say that Wes was pretty hilarious and just really stoked about the fan reaction to The Hunger Games in general.

Lionsgate provided fans with an interactive experience for Mockingjay with so much to do and see. This is the only place at the Con you can get Mockingjay pins, but you're gonna have to work for it! Fans can get their Mockingjay pin coupon punched for every event in the experience in order to get the pin achievement at the end of the experience. Check out our photos to get an idea of what you can do:

Get your holographic photo with Peeta and Johanna.
Obviously, it's not holographic when printed,
but when you sit down, look up.
TRIPPY!!

Using Galaxy tablets, you order from Peeta's Bakery and Haymitch's Elixers

For example, a Capitol Cronut!

Delicious Elixers

Opposite the counter lies the T-Shirt design center.
Get a free shirt with your district on it!

These are just a few of the activities you can do at the experience. I've seen lines around the block the whole con, so make sure you get in line ASAP if you have not done so already!

On Friday, the cast members came into the experience to talk to the fans along with Natalie Dormer:

MADNESS.

Natalie Dormer! CRESSIDA! MARGAERY TYRELL!!

Epic photo with Natalie Dormer with epic photobomb guy IS EPIC.

These guys had such a blast taking photos with fans :)

Trailer Reactions

Some may disagree with me, but I don't like to see too many things from a movie in a trailer. The less I see the better, but as long as we've been waiting for a trailer I definitely wanted to feel satisfied after viewing it. I believe it comes in at just over a minute, which I think is a very appropriate length for a "teaser".

I don't want to give it all away, but there are just some phenomenal shots chosen for the teaser. It was all I could do to not audibly freak out over my absolute favorite scene in the book being shown. It's a pivotal moment for Katniss' character and I think when you see it, you'll know exactly what I am referring to. All in all, I felt genuine emotion after viewing the teaser and I think fans will be leaving Best Buy very satisfied without having seen too much. As for when the trailer hits the web, the release should be imminent, but of course no official time as of right now.

THE SHOW FLOOR

Lionsgate's booth is a little more compact this year, but I think the design and function of it is very superior to last year. It is definitely more open and clear as to what they are promoting when they are promoting due to their changing banner above the booth.

Expect free posters from time to time, but as mentioned before there will be no Mockingjay pins on the floor this year. On the upside, you can totally have a photo op with a Peacekeeper behind the booth!

For those still going to Comic-Con on Sunday -- Don't forget to hit up the Samsung Galaxy Experience at The Hard Rock Hotel!! It is so worth it!

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

It seems like the Capitol has stepped up the propaganda to counteract the past rebellion efforts! Capitol Couture was updated today with a special edition - Fida Coeur - to help reinforce President Snow's "One Panem" initiative. It features new pictures of Peeta and Joanna, and (slightly creepy) Living Portraits of both, and what seems to be an interview with Johanna herself! Check out the highlights below!

Interview with Johanna:

"Let’s get on with it then," the battle-ax valkyrie huffs, shifting her weight and crossing her legs impatiently. Johanna Mason is as much a stately figure as ever, her long, bespoke skirt an iridescent pool around her feet. Risen from the waters of the magnificently treacherous Quarter Quell arena, her alabaster skin and flowing blonde locks belie the deadliest of instincts.

President Snow, in his perpetually magnanimous manner, saw fit to offer his personal sitting room for our exclusive interview and we simply could not refuse.The gilded room around us reflects glints of Johanna’s ivory ensemble, snaking around her arms in a woven pattern and blooming into a flared collar. Seated next to her is a silent Peeta Mellark, his fitted snowy suit and structured lapels speaking volumes in the ethereal light of the room.

Throughout our conversation, it is heavily apparent that Johanna is the leader in this duo- she leans forward with every question in an ingrained display of bravado.

“We went through a lot in the arena, but what’s important now is that Peeta and I are representatives of Panem- Districts 7 and 12 combining our efforts for a better future.”

It’s a patriotism that is blatantly on display in the new Capitol Living Portraits series, and Johanna positively gushes about the experience.

“I don’t even know how long I was on my feet, but those Alexander Wang shoes made me feel like a cloud on a pedestal. It was a really special day.”

The attention to detail in both Johanna’s and Peeta’s respective ensembles for the Living Portrait series is truly astounding upon closer assessment. The sculptural bodice of Ms. Mason’s dress mirrors the shape and movement of the Panem Seal, while Mellark’s paper collar piece adds to the chiseled-yet-natural theme in both outfits. It is an apt metaphor for a nation built up from the ground, raised by its people into beautifully functional, systemically beneficial government.

“It’s really amazing to be featured in these portraits,” Johanna states. “Peeta and I come from such humble backgrounds- to be representing Panem like never before is such an honor. We are very proud to be featured as the faces of our country.”

Santa Monica, Calif. and Dallas, TX – July 18, 2014 –Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF), a premier next generation global content leader, and Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC (Samsung), have teamed up on the next installment of the global blockbuster Hunger Games franchise, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1. The collaboration will launch with all fans getting a sneak peek of the film’s first official teaser trailer, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1, exclusively on Samsung’s new Galaxy Tab® S ahead of its online release.In a first-of-its-kind experience, fans will have the opportunity to preview the highly-anticipated The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 trailer on the Galaxy Tab S at an exclusive premiere in San Diego during Comic-Con on Friday, July 25. For those outside San Diego, beginning Saturday, July 26, fans can visit participating Samsung Experience Shops within Best Buy locations nationwide throughout the weekend to preview the trailer. Samsung will also provide visitors that view the trailer at Samsung Experience Shops one complimentary ticket to see The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 when it opens in theaters worldwide on November 21, while supplies last.
Additionally, owners of select Galaxy devices* will have the opportunity to download the all-new Hunger Games Movie Pack App, via Google Play™ for access to exclusive content from The Hunger Games franchise.

“We’re giving our consumers the unique experience to premiere the official trailer of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part I on our new Galaxy Tab S,” said Todd Pendleton, Chief Marketing Officer, Samsung Telecommunications America. “Together with Lionsgate, we will give Samsung Galaxy owners access to experience The Hunger Games franchise like never before.” "We’re thrilled to be partnering on Mockingjay 1 with a company that has the global stature of Samsung and whose innovative technologies touch every aspect of consumers’ lives around the world," said Paula Kupfer, SVP of Consumer Products & Licensing at Lionsgate. "They are a perfect fit with our franchise, and together we envision unlimited opportunities for expanding the world of The Hunger Games in exciting and visionary ways."

During San Diego Comic-Con:On Friday, July 25 at 12:00pm PT, cast members from The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 will introduce the trailer on the Galaxy Tab S in the Capitol Gallery located in the Samsung Galaxy Experience in San Diego (in the Hard Rock Hotel, corner of 5th and L Streets).

Nationwide at Best Buy:Fans outside the San Diego area can also get an exclusive preview of the first official The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 trailer beginning on Saturday, July 26 and extending through Sunday, July 27 by visiting Samsung Experience Shops inside select Best Buy locations. While supplies last, visitors will receive one complimentary pass to see The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 when it opens in theaters November 21.

The Hunger Games Movie Pack App:As part of the collaboration, The Hunger Games Movie Pack App will be available to download for free on select Samsung devices*beginning July 28, via Google Play. The app will give Galaxy owners access to exclusive Hunger Games content, including scripts, book excerpts, video clips and more.Galaxy Tab S owners will have the opportunity to download the first two Hunger Games films for free, in addition to receiving all the exclusive content through the app. Samsung will continue to deliver exclusive Hunger Games content to Galaxy owners through the app leading up to the film’s premiere on November 21. *Samsung, Galaxy, Galaxy S, and Galaxy Tab are all registered trademarks of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.*The Hunger Games Movie Pack App will be available to download for free on the Galaxy Tab S, Galaxy Note Pro, Galaxy Tab Pro, Galaxy Note 3, Galaxy S5 and Galaxy S4 starting July 28. *Limit to 200,000 downloads per movie. Available through December 31, 2014.

Our friend Shylah Addante, team member of Down with the Capitol and writer of the Finnick and Annie and The Hanging Tree shorts from Mainstay Productions, has asked us for help, and we are turning to you, dear fandom!

Let's get BOOKS FOR TRIBUTES.

Using donorschoose.org and with the Hunger Games fandom's help, she is looking to fund teachers across the country to get The Hunger Games in classrooms and libraries.

We have always lauded The Hunger Games for presenting issues like inequality and poverty in a very real way and making them accessible and teachable to the teens and young adults that read the books. But there is a very real problem. Many schools and classrooms simply cannot afford to get the Hunger Games books.

Take a minute to read Shylah's story below. We hope that it'll inspire you to give what you can to classrooms in need and spread the word.

When you donate please place the following somewhere in your personal message:

“I gave to this project because I'm with the Mockingjay, and support a literacy revolution in American classrooms. #books4tributes”

On July 26th join EPIX for a full day of all things The Hunger Games on their social media platforms and EPIX.com. Test your knowledge of Catching Fire with a trivia sweepstakes on Twitter or head to Facebook for another chance to win great prizes.

At 6:30pm ET go back to where it all started with The Hunger Games on EPIX, followed by an exclusive never-before-seen look at The Making of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire before the World Television Premiere of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire at 9pm ET.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire EPIX Hawaiian Sweepstakes

You can enter once a day through August 10 for a chance to win a trip for two to O’ahu, where they fillmed Catching Fire!Like EPIX on Facebook for more information!

#CatchingFireOnEPIX Photo-A-Day Sweepstakes

Complete daily Instagram challenges for a chance to win a $100 Catching Fire prize pack. Check out the daily challenges:

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

The Kickstarter short fan film Mockingjay: Burn that we posted about a couple of months ago responded to Lionsgate's trailer today with a trailer of their own.

As they are looking to be done next month, we're hoping it can help tide us over until the official movie comes out. It's impressive what some fans can get together to accomplish, so we love helping to promote projects like these.

There was much speculation over what this was going to be. Johanna was a nice surprise, and it's very satisfying to finally see, after having read it years ago and imagining how the marketing for this movie would be, Beetee interrupting Snow's message.

Update:

Whoa looks like "due to overwhelming demand" CapitolTV is on standby (Here's version 2 of the Unity address).